Iowa vs Florida: Live Coverage of NCAA Tournament Second Round
Iowa stunned the college basketball world with a last-second victory over defending champion Florida. Alvaro Folgueiras drilled a go-ahead three with 4.5 seconds remaining. The final score was 73-72, sending the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16.
Historic advance
This marks Iowa’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The win snapped a 27-year gap. Fans and program officials celebrated a major postseason milestone.
Key moments
Folgueiras’ late triple decided the game. Iowa survived a frantic final possession by Florida. Several calls and reviews shaped the closing minutes.
- Officials reviewed an out-of-bounds play in the final minute.
- A skirmish involving Folgueiras resulted in a double-technical and a jump ball.
- Referees determined Folgueiras’ forearm did not constitute a punching motion.
Momentum swings
Florida staged a late run that made the finish tense. Iowa used timely three-pointers and coaching timeouts to slow the Gators. The nervous closing sequence included missed free throws and contested shots.
Player contributions
Folgueiras supplied the decisive shot and defensive energy. Iowa guard Banks was a top perimeter threat and struggled at the free-throw line, going 5-of-10. Stirtz had an early scoring burst but went 0-for-9 from three at one stretch and finished with limited points.
Koch hit multiple threes that helped maintain Iowa’s lead during the second half. Overall, Iowa shot 48 percent from the field. Florida converted 37 percent on its attempts.
Team stats and style
- Iowa forced seven turnovers during the contest.
- The Hawkeyes were effective inside the arc but were 1-for-11 from long range at one point.
- Coaching adjustments and execution in the final minutes proved decisive.
Context and broadcast info
The game took place Sunday, March 22, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Tipoff was at 6:10 p.m. CT. TBS aired the contest with streaming available on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV.
Pre-game expectations and odds
Florida entered the matchup as the betting favorite. Odds on BetMGM listed Florida around -10.5. The posted moneyline showed Iowa at +450 and Florida at -623. The total had been set near 145.5.
Before the upset, analysts had projected a Florida victory and cited Tampa’s proximity as a home-like advantage. Those predictions proved incorrect as Iowa advanced.
Filmogaz.com provided live reaction and postgame coverage following the dramatic finish. For readers following Iowa vs Florida Live Coverage of NCAA Tournament Second Round, this result ranks among the tournament’s biggest surprises.